How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #1
If he only had paid some attention to Hans Olsa, who for a long while had insisted on waiting for him. But he had overruled all their objections; it was entirely his own doing that Hans Olsa and the others had gone on, leaving him behind. (1.1.4.4)
From the beginning, Per Hansa puts himself into difficult situations because of his pride. For starters, he tells his friends to travel to their new settlement without him because he doesn't want to hold them up. If he'd just been humble about it, though, he wouldn't have put himself and his family in danger.
Quote #2
In the first place, Per Hansa plainly was getting big-headed; heavens and earth, it was nothing but an ordinary sod hut that he was building! (1.2.8.8)
From the moment he starts building his house, Per Hansa wants to think of ways to make sure his house is better than his neighbors'. His neighbors are quick to realize this, and it isn't long before they start grumbling about Per Hansa's pride.
Quote #3
"You have made it pretty fine inside, Per Hansa; but He who is now whitening the outside of your walls does fully as well… You shouldn't be vain in your own strength, you know! (1.6.2.19)
The people in Per Hansa's settlement warn him not to get too cocky. After all, they're still living in the barren wilderness, and there's no one who hates cockiness more than God.
Quote #4
"Oh, nonsense, Hans Olsa […] What are you prating about? Here, take along a couple more ducks for Sörinna!" (1.6.2.20)
Whenever someone tries to talk sense into Per Hansa, he tends to brush them off with some gesture showing how awesome he is. In this case, his closest friend Hans tries to talk him down off his pedestal, but Hansa just laughs at him and offers him a bunch of ducks that he (Hansa) recently caught. You know, because he's such a strong and cunning man.
Quote #5
And his father had ventured to give him that bold second name…Victorious —that was not at all a human name! (2.1.2.8)
Yup, Per Hansa is pretty much daring God to strike him down when he names his son Victorious. You'd think that a guy living on the prairie would have a little more modesty, but Hansa seems determined to wave a metal rod in the air during a lightning storm just to show how awesome he is.
Quote #6
Tönseten thought that Per Hansa had been reckless and had gone too far in giving the boy that second name. (2.1.2.9)
Like most of Per Hansa's neighbors, Tönseten thinks Hansa is setting himself up for a fall. But then again, maybe Tönseten is just jealous of Hansa's success and manliness.
Quote #7
Per Hansa must remember that he himself was only a human being… Where had he been on Christmas night, for instance? (2.1.2.9)
Tönseten and everyone else in the settlement want to see Per Hansa humbled. But the more they want him to be humble, the more Per Hansa resists them and inflates his ego. He tends to have a short memory when it comes to all the near-tragedies he has faced, like when Beret almost died giving birth to his youngest son on Christmas.
Quote #8
And now you grumble—like those Israelites of yore—because the Lord is leading you on paths that you do not wish to follow… You are not willing to bear your cross with humility! (2.3.4.50)
Even the minister character has to point out to Per Hansa that he (Hansa) could use a little more humility in his life. And this is after knowing the guy for all of ten minutes. It's safe to say that Per Hansa wears his ego on his sleeve.
Quote #9
No, I am not; and let me tell you something more […] We find other things to do out here than to carry crosses! (2.3.4.51)
Even after the minister tells him to take it easy on the whole pride thing, Per Hansa argues and says he's got no time for all of this religious "be humble" talk. In his mind, there are great people and mediocre people, and he plans on being in the first category.
Quote #10
… His face was ashen and drawn. His eyes were set toward the west. (2.4.9.3)
Even when he dies of hypothermia, Per Hansa can't help but look toward the west. He looks in this direction because that's where the American frontier lies. He is always looking for ways to expand his kingdom and show his greatness to the world. It'd be nice to think he became humble at his moment of death, but this image doesn't suggest it.